The political rationale for the siege is that only by eroding Hamas’s power can the two-state solution remain viable. So long as Hamas remains in control of Gaza, the Israeli public, which now overwhelmingly supports the principle of two states, will not agree to withdraw from the West Bank.

That’s because of fear of a West Bank takeover by Hamas, similar to its violent coup in Gaza. Israeli fear is especially acute regarding Jerusalem: Israelis will not agree to sharing their capital with a Palestinian state so long as a very real possibility exists that Hamas may end up in control over East Jerusalem.